We received a letter from a Catholic man, who after visiting our website asked me, “By what authority do you interpret scriptures?” Of course, I immediately sent him the scriptures that command us to

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

“Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.” (Isa.34:16)

And again in John 5:39, where Jesus says, “Search the scriptures”.

Since it was God who commanded us to search, read and study to rightly divide the word of truth, then by His authority I must obey. For the same God who commanded us to search, read and study also said:

“Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.” (Proverbs 1:23)

So God, who reproves us to search the scriptures, read and study says that if we turn at His reproof, He will pour out His Spirit unto us and make known His words. Logically speaking, we should be able to interpret what we read by His Spirit. Now of course, this takes faith.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he a rewarder of them that diligently see him.” (Heb.11:6)

James 1, starting in verse 5, we read:

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men [notice God does not say “just to the teaching magesterium”, but “to all men”] liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

If a man does not believe God and step out in faith, then that man will receive nothing from the Lord. Perhaps this is why so many Catholics do not read the Bible. They simply do not believe the promises of God, nor obey His commands by faith. Titus 2:15 says, “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”

Well now, here we have God telling us that we have “all authority” to speak and exhort and rebuke. I figured that would suffice as proof, but he wrote me back. First, he tried to explain away the verses I gave him by giving his interpretation. I immediately threw his question back at him, “By what authority do you interpret scripture.” You see, Roman Catholicism claims it alone can interpret the word. This task is not given to each of the faithful, not even to the theologians, but only to the teaching authority of the church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, #85, says,

"The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone."

Now, notice that the Catechism of the Catholic Church is calling tradition the “word of God”. The written form being called “scripture”, and the oral form, “tradition”, Rome believes both are the “word of God”, and only her teaching magesterium can interpret them. For Christians there is only one source and rule for our faith, the written word of God and only His Spirit can interpret what His Spirit commands us to read.

One Catholic man wrote me saying, “you assume that "Word of God" means the written word. Where does the Bible teach that only the written word is the Word of God? 2 Thes 2:14 says, ‘Therefore, brethren, stand fast: and hold the traditions, which you have learned, whether by word or by our epistle.’ St. Paul places oral Tradition on the same level as the Written Word of God.’”

What this Catholic man assumed was that the traditions Paul was speaking of were different from the written word. But Paul said “whether by word or by our epistle.” This denotes that the tradition he is speaking of was already written in his epistle, so that whether or not you heard it spoken or read it in the epistle, you were to stand fast on it. Had Paul said we should stand in the oral traditions and the epistles, then Rome would have a leg to stand on. But as it is, Paul is very clear that the tradition was already written in the epistle, “whether by word or by our epistle”. Also, if you look up the Greek word for tradition, you will notice that it says “specifically Jewish traditionary laws”. We are not talking about Roman traditions which they claimed “evolved”. Paul couldn’t possibly have meant that we were to stand on the traditions that would evolve 1,000 years down the line, especially in light of the scripture where Paul says: "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." (Acts 20:27) Therefore the tradition that Paul talks about could not be the same traditions that Rome speaks of.

“For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;” (2 Corinthians 1:13)

“For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.” (2 Corinthians 10:10-11)

Another point is that even the scriptures do not put tradition on the same par as scripture, warning us to

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

Thomas Aquinas used the philosophy of Aristotle to support his doctrine of transubstantiation. This doctrine having its rudiments in the world and not in Christ was brought about to spoil, that is rob men of their salvation. It teaches men to worship and bow before a piece of bread and call it “God”. This is idolatry and a tradition of men. It’s interesting that in Matthew 15, Jesus, knowing all things beforehand, exposed the false doctrine of transubstantiation in the same breath he was condemning man‘s traditions. Jesus clearly taught that the god of Roman Catholicism is cast out in the draught! That’s right all you Catholics out there that love to take the literal meaning...Jesus literally said that “whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?” Does the Roman eucharist enter in at the mouth? Does it go into the belly? Then, according to Jesus, the Roman eucharist or the Roman god is cast out into the draught. Jesus, who cannot lie, made it clear when He literally condemned Rome’s tradition of literally eating a god.

Let’s move on. This Catholic man writes me again saying, “Where does the Bible say that it alone is your final authority?”

Since we have proved that by the authority of God, we are to study and read the Scriptures, my next hope was that this man would listen carefully to 2Tim.3:14-15:

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Notice that it said “Holy Scriptures” are able to make thee wise unto salvation. Rome admits that when it says, “holy scriptures” that it is speaking of the written word of God, not tradition. Here we have Paul, speaking to Timothy telling him that the only necessary thing to make him wise unto salvation is the “holy scriptures”. In Romans 15:4, Paul again talks about the written word as scripture:

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience, and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

If tradition is the word of God, then why didn’t Paul say something like “whatsoever things were written and orally passed down were for our learning that through the comfort of scripture and tradition we might have hope.”??? It’s evident that Paul is placing the written word above all, as he does in 1Cor.4:6 where he says, “that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written.”

This written word goes totally against Rome’s doctrine. Men are subject to the written word. Some men like to think of themselves above that which is written and equate their own words equal to God’s word. Rome has done this by saying that their tradition is the word of God. That is adding to God’s word things that are not written! Praise God that He revealed this lie in His written word.

In 1Kings 2:1-3, King David is on his death bed and he calls Solomon to admonish his son who was soon to take his place. He said,

“I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself.”

Here we have King David telling his son to keep the law and the testimonies written in the law of Moses, not the stuff handed down through oral tradition, but “written”. Isa 8:20, says, “To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” The law and the testimony, according to King David were “written”.

Josiah, who “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord”, when he heard the words of the Lord that were written in the book of the Lord, not only repented, but caused all of Israel to hear the words of the Lord that were written in the book of the Lord, so that all of Israel repented and turned to the Lord. It was the “written” word that changed the heart of Israel, and not tradition. As a matter of fact, it was the traditions of Israel's fathers that brought down judgment. They didn't take heed to the "written word"!

Did Paul preach outside the law and the testimony? No, by his own confession, the gospel he preached was "promised afore by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures.” (Rom.1:2) That’s why Paul also said,

“Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the word began, but now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting god made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.”

The gospel is made manifest by the Scriptures! There is no evidence that the gospel is made known by written scriptures and oral traditions. The gospel Paul preached was already written in the Old Testament. That’s why Paul said to stand fast in the traditions, or the Jewish traditionary laws. It was the law and the prophets that revealed Christ. In Gal.1:14, Paul said that he had been “exceedingly zealous for the traditions of his fathers.” (This is before he got saved, my friend, so the traditions he is talking about are definitely Jewish traditions) and in Romans 11:2, Paul bore record that the Jews had a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. You see, the written law which Paul loved and was so zealous for, the “traditions” of his fathers, could not be understood unless a man was born-again. In 2Cor., starting at verse 14, we read,

“But their minds were blinded: for until this day remainteth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.”

Interesting how the Catholic people are so duped into thinking that Rome’s traditions are the word of God. Ecc.12:10 says:

“The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.”

Revelation 20:12 says that we will be judged by the things written in the books. Doesn’t say we will be judged by the traditions that are not written down, but only by those things which are written. For all this, our poor Catholic friend becomes angry and writes:

“If the Holy Ghost working with Scripture provides illumination, conviction, and discernment, THEN why can't 'Bible alone' protestants agree as to what the Scripture means? IF the Bible alone is sufficient THEN there could never be any disagreement as to what any verse means. The Scriptures are always subjected to an extra-biblical personal interpretation. Protestants submit to no one, not even God and are guided only by their individual personal interpretation of religion. For the prot there is no truth. I believe verse 1 teaches doctrine X you believe verse 1 teaches not X but Y+ yet some how God lead us both to these opposite positions. Are they both right?”

What Roman Catholicism has taught this poor gentleman, is that trusting God’s Spirit to actually guide him into all truth is dangerous and can only lead to division, so he attacks the Protestant faith and claims that we submit to no one.

I have to wonder if it has occurred to this Catholic man that if he would only use his own theory, and that is that if bible verse 1 teaches X and tradition opposes X and teaches Y+, yet some how God lead them both to these opposite positions. Are they both right? A good example: The Council of Trent, Canon xxiv, we read: “If any one shall say that justification received is not preserved, and also increased before God through good works; but that such works are only the fruits and signs of justification obtained, and not a cause of its increase; let him be accursed.”

So, Rome clearly teaches that a man is justified by works and clearly condemns those who believe otherwise...which would include the apostle Paul, who said:

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Titus 3:5

“For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God Not of works lest any man should boast.” Eph.2:8-9

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Galatians 2:16

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteouness.” Rom.4:5,

Paul is condemned by the Council of Trent! The writings of Paul bear witness that a man is not justified by works, but by faith. “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” (Rom.3:28) Paul wrote a great deal about that. Even James expounded on it showing that Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness...then works followed. First he believed God...then he acted upon that belief. It’s evident that works are the fruit of justification, and not the cause. Rome’s “Y+” tradition is opposite of Scripture’s “X” verse, so why can’t our Catholic friend apply the same reasoning to his own religion? Because Rome has terrified him into thinking that if he dares disagree with Rome, he is disagreeing with God and is condemned to hell. The only way these poor Catholic people will be set free is for the gospel to be preached to them. That means that the Christians are going to have to obey God and study so they can help reach these poor lost souls. Don’t be fooled, the Catholic apologists have taught their tongues to lie and like the locust who eat up every green thing, these men are eating up souls like they are nothing. Please have mercy on the Catholic and continue to fight the good fight.

By Rebecca A. Sexton